"Our country's spiraling debt crisis has reached a tipping point. We need a plan that makes the hard decisions now, not later, to solve our spiraling debt crisis. In the absence of President Obama coming forward to lead our country on the most pressing issue of our time, the RSC stepped up to the plate today by putting forward a bold solution to balance the budget in five years. The president and his fellow Democrats seemingly believe the laws of common-sense do not apply and we can afford to continue down the current path of debt without consequence. We at the RSC refuse to sit back and accept a future of America in decline. The RSC budget represents a clear, practical way to cut spending, balance the budget, and get the government out of the way of the way so our economy can begin growing again."

Below is a summary of the RSC's proposal to balance the budget in 5 years. Full details are available here.

Reduce Spending

Repeal ObamaCare to eliminate $636 billion in additional spending over ten years.Cut discretionary spending slightly below FY 2008 levels to $931 billion in FY 2013. This equals the level proposed in last year's House-passed budget resolution minus the sequestration under the Budget Control Act. Freeze it until the budget balances.Prioritize our nation's security by funding defense at the same level as the House Republican budget, growing from $554 billion in FY 2013 to $699 billion in FY 2022.Reduce non-defense discretionary spending from $377 billion in 2013 to $329 billion in 2022.Save $1.3 trillion over ten years by 1) returning combined spending on 70+ welfare programs to pre-recession levels once unemployment drops to 6.5% as in the RSC's Welfare Reform Act (H.R. 1167) and 2) reducing unnecessary mandatory spending in programs outside of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.Save Medicare

Put Medicare on the path to long-term solvency by adopting the reforms proposed in the House Republican budget. These include transitioning to a solvent "premium-support" system and slowly phasing in an increase in the eligibility age for those born in 1958 and after. Because these policies make no changes for individuals currently age 55 and older, they make no contribution to the budget balancing within the 10-year budget window.Reform Medicaid

Block-grant Medicaid and remove Washington D.C.'s burdensome red tape. This budget would empower the states with maximum flexibility to determine Medicaid eligibility and benefits, thereby improving the quality of care and access to vital services for the neediest and most vulnerable Americans. Based on the model set by the successful welfare reforms of 1996, federal funding for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) will be set at current levels for the next ten years. This proposal follows the RSC's State Health Flexibility Act (H.R. 4160).Safeguard Social Security

Strengthen Social Security's long-term finances. This budget would slowly phase in an increase in the Social Security full-retirement age for individuals born in 1958 and after to an eventual full-retirement age of 70. Because this policy makes no changes for individuals currently age 55 and older, it makes no contribution to the budget balancing within the 10-year budget window.Enact Pro-Growth Tax Reform

Prevent any new tax increases on the American people. This budget proposes a smarter tax code that is simpler, flatter, and fairer in line with the RSC's Jobs Through Growth Act (H.R. 3400).